Shakeel Qadir Khan directs to all deputy commissioners to ensure immediate repair of all polling stations in respective districts

Independent Report

QUETTA: The Chief Secretary Balochistan, Shakeel Qadir Khan has assured that the provincial government would extend wholehearted cooperation to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for conducting free, fair and transparent elections in the province.
He directed to the concerned high ups to prepare comprehensive plan for deployment of the polling staff, provision of necessary facilities, security and transport at the polling stations.
He also directed all the Deputy Commissioners to ensure immediate repair of the polling stations located in their respective districts.
The Chief Secretary was chairing a meeting about preparations of the general elections in Sibi Division on Tuesday.
Those who were present in the meeting were included Additional Chief Secretary Home, Zahid Saleem, Inspector General of Police, Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, Secretary Finance, Babar Khan, Commissioner Sibi Division, Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai, Deputy Commissioners of all districts of Sibi Division and other concerned high ups.
The Chief Secretary was briefed about the arrangements made for conducting general elections in Sibi Division.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Secretary said that the provincial government is ensuring peaceful environment for free and fair elections as per the guidelines given by the ECP.
He said that CCTV cameras would be installed at all polling stations.
He directed to the concerned to ensure timely completion of all arrangements for the elections in Sibi Division. In addition to this, the implementation on Code of Conduct should also be ensured as issued by the ECP.
He also directed to ensure availability of all facilities including water, electricity, washrooms and ramps (for the disabled persons) at all polling stations in the division.
Referring funds for transport, the Chief Secretary assured that provision of funds would be ensured to the administration for transport by January 22, 2024.
Earlier, during the briefing, it was informed that there would be elections on one seat of National Assembly and four seats of Provincial Assembly in Sibi Division.
It was also informed that the total population of Sibi Division is 11,56,000 with 4,46,000 voters there.
In all 406 polling stations would be set up in Sibi Division. The police, levies and Frontier Corps would be deployed for security at the polling stations, it was further informed.